11 CATECHISM OF 



A. The principal species that compose 

 genus are, Delphinus Delphis or the Dolphin, 

 Delphinus Phocaena or Porpoise, Delphinus Orca 

 or Grampus, and Delphinus Gladiator or the Sea 

 Sword. 



Q. Give some account of the Dolphin. 



A. Delphinus Delphis, or the Dolphin, is 

 usually of the length of from five to ten feet. 

 Its motions are so rapid, that it is called by 

 mariners, the arrow of the sea. The marvellous 

 stories that have been related of it by ancient 

 poets and historians, have, however, no founda- 

 tion in truth. 



Q. Describe the Porpoise. 



A. Delphinus Phocaena, the Porpoise, is usually 

 six or seven feet long, with a thick round body, 

 which gradually diminishes towards the tail. The 

 flesh of this fish is by no means ill-tasted, and it 

 yields a considerable quantity of excellent oil. 

 Previous to a storm, porpoises are frequently seen 

 playing their gambols near the surface of the water. 



Q. What distinguishes the Grampus ? 



A. Delphinus Orca, the Grampus, the largest fish 

 of the genus, is often found twenty-five feet long 

 and twelve or thirteen in circumference. Its most 

 distinguishing mark is its dorsal fin, which is of a 



